Books like The Devil's Arithmetic
Looking for books like The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen (Historical Fiction · 730L · grades 5–8)? It’s most often read for its themes of Holocaust, memory, and Jewish identity. The 10 titlesbelow are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.
These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 5–8 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.
10 books similar to The Devil's Arithmetic
The Book ThiefMarkus Zusak · 730L
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912Lauren Tarshis · 590L
Number the StarsLois Lowry · 670L
Salt to the SeaRuta Sepetys · 560L
The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963Christopher Paul Curtis · 1000L
Code Name KingfisherLiz Kessler
Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the HolocaustElisa Boxer
IcebergJennifer A. Nielsen
Nothing Else But MiraclesKate Albus- RestartGordon KormanRestartGordon Korman · 730L
Reading the whole similar-books list? Open any title for its Amazon listing — or listen to many of them free with a 30-day Audible trial.
As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.
Why each is a match
- The Book Thief730L
- Shares themes of Holocaust, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (730L vs 730L).
- I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912590L
- Shares themes of history, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (590L vs 730L).
- Number the Stars670L
- Shares themes of Holocaust and a close reading level (670L vs 730L).
- Salt to the Sea560L
- Shares themes of Holocaust, same genre (Historical Fiction), and a close reading level (560L vs 730L).
- The Watsons Go to Birmingham—19631000L
- Shares themes of history, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (5–8).
- Code Name Kingfishergrades 4–8
- Shares themes of history, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaustgrades 2–5
- Shares themes of Holocaust and history and overlapping grades (2–5).
- Iceberggrades 3–7
- Shares themes of history, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
- Nothing Else But Miraclesgrades 3–7
- Shares themes of history, same genre (Historical Fiction), and overlapping grades (3–7).
- Restart730L
- Shares themes of memory and a close reading level (730L vs 730L).